The Caligula Effect

The Caligula Effect is a bit of a difficult RPG to quantify and narrow down my feelings on. Caligula’s combat stands out as the best reason to pick up and play this Vita-exclusive RPG, second to the story that should appeal to fans that just wrapped up Persona 5 and want something more in that vein. FuRyu might not have a fully-polished RPG on their hands to deliver, but it’s a worthy title that stands out from the rest on the Vita.

When discussing The Caligula Effect, one cannot help but feel it will fall under the same umbrella as Resonance of Fate. It’s highly flawed and requires a bit of work to get the best out of it. Once acclimated, though, this is a game that will demand attention and affection from the player. It’s a strange, interesting tale that explores the nature of joy, sorrow, and choosing knowledge over bliss for those that want to think about it, or all of that can be ignored in favor of a silly anime-like story of friends overcoming long odds with superpowers. Either way, it’s a game that will probably gain more recognition and popularity as time goes on. Also, do not read page 24 of the game’s digital instruction manual.

The Caligula Effect has some of the coolest systems ever found on the Vita. The game seems to push what the system is capable of and perhaps that was asking too much. With some frame rate drops during battles and unnecessarily confusing dungeons, the game might get passed up by the more casual RPG players. However in the end, the side stories, characters, and awesome soundtrack saved the game and made me want to see it through to till the end.

Quotation forthcoming.

The Caligula Effect is a frustrating game, with a great story wrapped in an uneven package. The characters and plot offer a frank and important exploration of psychological trauma that deserves praise. The rest of the game far less so, with combat hampered by a number of annoying design decisions that can make it a chore, and technical hitches that are a frequent hinderance. What the game is left with is ultimately a story that provides the only solid argument to spend any time in Mobius.

Overall, The Caligula Effect is an ambitious PS Vita JRPG that falls just short of expectations. While the game may not be the outstanding experience some have come to expect, it remains a decent title on an otherwise barren platform that can still be enjoyed. Despite being repetitive in a few aspects, The Caligula Effect’s story and battle system will be sure to keep you coming back for more.

The Caligula Effect offers a fascinating story inside of a huge virtual world. Filled with heavy concepts, writer Tadashi Satomi weaves a complex story about human suffering, artificial happiness, and the lengths people will go to find inner peace. While not nearly as developed or immersive as Persona 5, the game’s flashy graphics, star-studded soundtrack and solid story help to make up for what the game lacks in a depressingly shallow and unfulfilling social system, unclear objectives within dungeons and a rather tedious battle system.

The Caligula Effect tells an engaging story that has a deep thought-provoking message. However, the gameplay falls flat in almost every way which ends up making it a chore to play. In the end, Mobius is a virtual prison and it's fitting that it sure feels like one.